Unleashing sustainable development for all

As the world grapples with the impact of climate change, there is an increasing focus on sustainable development — a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. While the goal of sustainable development is admirable, there is a risk that it can become a buzzword without meaningful action. People must come first in any sustainable development process, which requires a shift in mindset, policies, and actions.

Zimbabwe faces various challenges and issues in achieving sustainable development. Recurrent humanitarian crises have been identified as a major obstacle to the country's progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The country's economic development is hampered by price and exchange rate instability, misallocation of productive resources, high informality, low investment, and limited structural transformation.

Even with committing itself fully to Agenda 2030 and considering sustainable development as a core constitutional imperative and overall strategic objective, Zimbabwe still faces significant hurdles. These challenges hinder the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To address these issues, authorities must note that at the heart of sustainable development is the recognition that economic growth must be balanced with social and environmental considerations. However, there is a danger that the focus on economic growth can overshadow these other considerations, resulting in unsustainable practices. For example, the pursuit of economic growth can lead to the exploitation of natural resources, the degradation of the environment, and the marginalisation of vulnerable communities. In order for sustainable development to be truly sustainable, it must prioritise people over profit.

"People-centric sustainable development" refers to an approach to sustainable development that places people at the centre of the development process. This approach recognises that economic growth must be balanced with social and environmental considerations and that development can only be sustainable if it respects and protects human rights. A people-centric approach to sustainable development prioritises poverty reduction, equity, and climate resilience and involves communities in the decision-making process. It also prioritises the protection and restoration of natural resources, recognising that natural resources are finite and must be managed for the benefit of both present and future generations. Ultimately, people-centric sustainable development is about creating a better future for all, where economic growth is balanced with social and environmental considerations and human rights are respected and protected.

One of the key challenges facing sustainable development is poverty. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people around the world live in extreme poverty, with less than $1.90 a day to live on. Poverty is not only a moral issue but also has serious environmental implications. Poor communities often rely on natural resources, such as farming or fishing, for their livelihoods. However, when resources are overexploited, they become depleted, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation. In order for sustainable development to succeed, poverty must be tackled head-on.

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Another challenge facing sustainable development is inequality. In many countries, there is a significant gap between the rich and poor, with the wealthy minority benefiting from economic growth at the expense of the majority. This not only leads to social tensions but also has environmental implications. For example, wealthy individuals have a much larger carbon footprint than poor individuals, meaning that the pursuit of economic growth by the wealthy can have a disproportionate impact on the environment. Sustainable development must therefore prioritise equity and ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared fairly.

A third challenge facing sustainable development is climate change. The impact of climate change is already being felt around the world, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise causing significant damage. Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a social and economic one. For example, it is likely to disproportionately affect poor and marginalised communities, who are less able to adapt to changing conditions. In order for sustainable development to be truly sustainable, it must address the root causes of climate change and prioritise adaptation and resilience.

So how can sustainable development prioritise people over profit? One approach is to adopt a human rights-based approach, which places human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination at the centre of development.  This approach recognises that development cannot be sustainable if it does not respect and protect human rights, including economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights.

By adopting a human rights-based approach, sustainable development can ensure that the needs and priorities of people are taken into account at every stage of the development process.

Another approach is to involve communities in the decision-making process. Too often, development projects are planned and implemented without the input or consent of the people who will be affected by them. This can lead to resentment, mistrust, and even resistance. By involving communities in the decision-making process, sustainable development can ensure that projects are tailored to meet the needs and priorities of the people who will be affected by them. This can also help to build trust and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.

In addition, sustainable development must prioritise the protection and restoration of natural resources. This requires a shift away from exploitative practices towards sustainable management and conservation. It also requires a recognition that natural resources are finite and must be managed for the benefit of both present and future generations. By prioritising the protection and restoration of natural resources, sustainable development can ensure that the environment is healthy and resilient and that future generations have access to the resources they need to thrive.

In conclusion, sustainable development must prioritise people over profit if it is to be truly sustainable. This requires a shift in mindset, policies, and actions, with a focus on poverty reduction, equity, and climate resilience.

By adopting a human rights-based approach, involving communities in the decision-making process, and prioritising the protection and restoration of natural resources, sustainable development can ensure that economic growth is balanced with social and environmental considerations. Ultimately, sustainable development is not just about meeting the needs of the present but about creating a better future for all.

• Tazvivinga is a development economist based in Pretoria, South Africa. Tazvivinga is a current Zimbabwe Economics Society council member. — ptazvy@gmail.com.  These weekly New Perspectives articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGI Zimbabwe). — kadenge.zes@gmail.com or mobile: +263 772 382 852.